The Pierce College Council met on Nov. 29, to discuss information on the Student Success Committee and several other items on the agenda. Joy McCaslin, who represents the administration and is an executive member of the PCC, informed the collegial council on ideas to help students at Pierce with finishing their educational goals. Seven major student success initiatives were mentioned at the meeting, including a developmental education workshop, a learning/social communities group, a professional development for student success group, a teaching and learning center evaluation group, a “Staring New Students Rights” group, a student success workshop program and the learning center group. “Lots of students come in with very low skills,” said McCaslin. “They take English 21 and other courses that require more basic skills for a higher success rate.” English and mathematics courses at Pierce can require prerequisites if the student is not up to par with basic skill levels. A student enrolled in pre-algebra and a low skill level English course may have a difficult time if they simultaneously take college-level courses such as philosophy. “We just want to explore this issue and see where it ends up,” said McCaslin. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a dialouge about it before.” Starting a new student group to plan and coordinate a broad range of activities involved in directing and supporting new students at Pierce was brought up in conversation by McCaslin. Student success at Pierce may be based on a student’s success in their kindergarten to 12th grade years. Attendance in the kindergarten to 12th grade has been decreasing. When that happens community colleges seem to follow the trend, according to Greg Gilbertson, representing the Academic Senate in the PCC. Another item discussed in the meeting were the construction projects currently taking place on campus. Pierce plans to expand the new village area that will allow room for many more classrooms. Village expansion creates a village of 17 temporary classrooms that cannot be in place for more than two years, according to a PCC member. Construction plans also include the child development center, improving the athletic facilities and the addition of a swimming pool, according to the council. The PCC is scheduled on Dec. 20 to hold their next meeting.
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